Flood alerts with more rain to come

THE region is recovering today following the latest wave of fierce storms.

Gusts of up to 50mph were due to hit Burton last night just days after gale force winds wreaked havoc across the region.

Flood alerts remain in place for across much of Burton and South Derbyshire, with villages such as Willington and Swarkestone particularly under threat.

More rain was forecast for this afternoon, with experts warning the region has not seen the last of the extreme weather.

Downpours are expected on Monday, with a dry day set to follow on Tuesday and winds also due to calm.

But that is expected to be only a short respite with stormy conditions expected to return later in the week.

Trees were brought crashing down in Burton and South Derbyshire on Wednesday, while buildings were also damaged by what some people described as the strongest winds they had ever seen as gusts reached 70mph in parts of the region.

A walkway off High Street, in Burton, near the former Brewers Bar pub, remained sealed off to the public yesterday on safety grounds after another tree toppled.

Experts said the region has already had 75 per cent of its average rainfall for February, on the back of a record-breaking soggy January.

Paul Gundersen, Met Office chief meteorologist, said: “Monday is expected to bring a brief respite from the stormy conditions before more strong winds and rain set in from the west on Tuesday.

“This will bring the continuing risk of flooding and damaging winds bringing down trees to cause disruption to travel and power networks.”